AOSVN Additional Policies

In addition to meeting the requirements for admission as stated above under Admission Policies, applicants to the AOSVN program must provide the following prior to admission to the program:

AOSVN Dress Code

Students are expected to withhold and maintain a professional image. Professional image consists of personal appearance with regard to clothing, grooming, manners and etiquette, personal behavior, and communication effectiveness.

Professional image policies are to be enforced while on campus grounds and/or clinical facilities premises, which include the parking lot, shuttle lot and while riding on the Stanbridge Shuttle Service. The student must adhere to the professional image policy guidelines listed below. If the student is off campus and wearing Stanbridge University attire, they should demonstrate awareness that they are a representative of the University and are expected to have professional behavior and demonstrate good judgement. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action for a violation of the code of conduct.

Theory

• Student ID badge must be worn at all times above the waist.
• Students must wear Stanbridge issued uniform polo shirt and black colored pants or black scrub bottoms. No leggings, jeggings, or any tight-fitted items are permitted.
• Clothing must be clean and unwrinkled.
• Undershirts worn underneath the polo top may be short sleeve or long sleeve but must be white if visible. No other undergarments may be visible.
• Stanbridge hoodie is the only outer garment allowed.
• No active wear, athletic clothing, trendy clothing, i.e. holes or tears in pants.
• No caps, hats, beanies or hoods in class.
• Faddish or unnatural hair colors or styles are not permitted. Hair accessories must be plain; head bands are acceptable.
• Students must wear clean, black, grey, or white sneakers.
  • Socks/hosiery of any color may be worn.
• Tattoos cannot be visible. White, long-sleeved shirts or “sleeves” must be worn with polo shirt to cover the tattoos. No facial or tongue jewelry.
• Nails must be trimmed and kept clean at all times. Nail length must be kept at a maximum of 2 mm overhang. Only clear nail polish is acceptable – other colors/designs are not allowed. Artificial nails are not allowed.
• All students must be neat and well groomed. Appropriate top and bottom undergarments are required.
• In the event of inclement weather, only program administration may approve a temporary modification of outerwear standards.

Clinical

• Student ID badge must be worn at all times above the waist.
• Students must wear Stanbridge issued uniform scrubs. Scrubs must be clean and unwrinkled.
• Undershirts worn underneath the scrub uniform top may be short sleeve or long sleeve but must be white if visible. No other undergarments may be visible.
• Plain white socks must be worn at all times.
• Shoes must be slip-proof, non-penetrable, completely white, and clean at all times.
• Stanbridge hoodie is the only outer garment allowed.
• The only visible jewelry that is acceptable is a small, single, stud earring and a plain wedding band. No facial or tongue jewelry. No other visible jewelry is permitted.
• Facial hair must be neatly trimmed (length as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control), and not be of a faddish or unusual appearance.
• Tattoos cannot be visible. White, long-sleeved shirts or “sleeves” must be worn with scrub top to cover the tattoos.
• A watch that can count seconds is mandatory at all times.
• Hair must be pulled back out of the face and off the neck and back. Faddish or unnatural colors or styles are not permitted.
• Hair accessories must be plain; head bands are acceptable.
• Nails must be trimmed and kept clean at all times. Nail length must be kept at a maximum of 2 mm overhang. Only clear nail polish is acceptable – other colors/designs are not allowed. Artificial nails are not allowed.
• All students must be neat and well groomed. Appropriate top and bottom undergarments are required.

Consequences for Violation of the Professional Image Policy

If a student is determined to be in violation of any specific item(s) of the dress code, the student will be issued a written warning and sent home for the remainder of the day.  Additionally, the student will acquire an absence for that respective class day.  The student will not have the option to return to class to avoid acquiring an absence.  Please refer to the attendance policy for the remediation of absences.

AOSVN Health Record Requirements

Physical Health

Proof of Health Exam within the past 6 months signed by a medical provider (MD, NP, or PA) with no restrictions. Must be updated annually.

Health Insurance

Students are required to carry health insurance, throughout the duration of their program, at their own cost, and may be asked to provide a copy to program administration or clinical facility.

Immunizations

MMR: Students must submit a titer or proof of immunization. If previously immunized, the student should get a titer drawn before being immunized again. If the titer is positive, the student is immune to the disease. If the titer is negative, the student needs to be vaccinated. Titers must be renewed every 5 years to show immunity.

Students who have had measles-mumps-rubella do not need to be immunized but will need to submit proof of immunity.

Varicella (Chickenpox): The student must submit a titer or proof of immunization. If previously immunized, the student should get a titer drawn before being immunized again. If the titer is positive, the student is immune to the disease. If the titer is negative, the student needs to be vaccinated. Titers must be renewed every 5 years.

Students who have had chickenpox do not need to be immunized but will need to submit proof of having the disease.

TDaP: Vaccine administered within the past 10 years.

Hepatitis B: Students must submit proof of a 3-shot series of immunization (or proof the series has been started). If the student wishes to decline the Hepatitis B vaccine series, he or she must sign a declination form provided by Stanbridge University.

The student may also present a titer if previously immunized for Hepatitis B. Titers need to be renewed every 5 years to show immunity. If there is no shown immunity vaccine series must be completed.

Tuberculosis: Students must submit proof of a PPD skin test within the past 6 months. If the student has a previous positive PPD or BCG vaccine, the student will have to submit results from a current chest X-ray within the past 2 years. Students must initially provide a two-step TB test unless they can provide proof of previous annual testing. A TB skin test or TB Gold must be updated annually.

Influenza Vaccine or Declination: Students must submit proof of influenza vaccine. If the student wishes to decline the influenza vaccine, he or she must sign a declination form provided by Stanbridge University. Students should be aware that declining the influenza vaccine may result in inability to attend clinical education at some facilities and may lead to delay of graduation. A new flu vaccine is required each flu season.

COVID-19 Vaccine: All students are required to be COVID-19 vaccinated and boosted prior to beginning any clinical or fieldwork site rotation. Failure to receive the vaccination and current booster will lead to dismissal of the student from the program. 

BLS/CPR Card

Students must be certified in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) from the American Heart Association. Students are responsible for maintaining proof of certification, and its currency, for the entire duration of the program, at their own cost. Students without current certification will be removed from all fieldwork/clinical rotations until certification is renewed. Any absences accrued will have Attendance Policies applied. American Heart Association authorized certification only. Must be renewed every 2 years.

Maintaining Requirements for Clinical Education

All students are responsible for maintaining the accuracy of the foregoing student health information.  This includes, but is not limited to, PPD, chest X-ray (if PPD is positive), Hepatitis B series, COVID-19 vaccine, physical, and the American Heart Association BLS certification.  It is mandatory for each student to keep these health records current at all times.  No student is allowed to attend clinical with expired health information.  Students are responsible to pay for any necessary renewals of health records.  Any student with expired health information will not be allowed to attend clinical education without updating the expired information.  Any absences accrued due to expired health records may not have remediation limits waived.  Also, any student who accrues absences due to expired health records will receive a Notice of Deficiency for each absence.